SEPTA, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, has agreed to a class action settlement in relation to a data breach that occurred in August 2020.
Direct payment settlement for SEPTA’s data breach class action lawsuit
The public transportation agency has agreed to make a payout to resolve allegations that it failed to prevent the hack that potentially compromised employee data.
The settlement is beneficial to individuals who were notified by SEPTA that their information may have been compromised in August 2020. The transportation authority was the target of a hack, according to a class action lawsuit filed by SEPTA employees. The lawsuit alleges that the company failed to implement reasonable cybersecurity measures that would have prevented the breach, resulting in the personal information and protected health details of some employees being impacted.
Although SEPTA has not admitted to any wrongdoing and claims to have “meritorious defenses” in place, it has agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to resolve the data breach class action lawsuit. Members identified as a ‘Class Member’ may seek reimbursement of up to $1,000, according to the settlement. This applies specifically to those who “received notice from SEPTA in August 2020 or November 2022 regarding information that was potentially compromised in the Data Security Incident,” but only if they provide proof of economic loss sustained as a result of the incident and had not already been reimbursed by a third party.
Alternatively, recognized members have the option to seek reimbursement for $25 per hour, but the most they can claim is for four hours lost.
Those identified as Class Members are also eligible to receive one year of free credit monitoring with Equifax. To receive compensation and benefits, a claim form must be completed no later than July 17, 2023, along with other enrollment measures. The settlement terms state that members who do not submit a claim form or reimbursement form will receive nothing and will give up any right to sue the company in a separate suit.
The settlement is still pending final approval in a court hearing scheduled for September 20, 2023
SEPTA’S transit system serves the greater Philadelphia area and connects to Delaware and New Jersey through railways, buses, trolleys, subways, and a high-speed line.
Individuals who want to better guard against their own personal data being hacked may consider options like Norton LifeLock or Aura. In addition, a $4 million class action lawsuit that could deliver more than $5,000 in compensation to those impacted and ways to protect oneself against a security threat that could drain a bank account can be found in related stories.
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